We are offering Using Graywater at Home workshops on June 9th and June 23rd – learn about saving water (and money) by using graywater to irrigate your garden or landscaping. In this workshop you’ll learn some graywater basics, as well as how to get a permit so you can get started.

The USDA recently released the preliminary results for the 2012 Census of Agriculture, a statistical overview of national and state agriculture. Oregon’s results in a nutshell: we have an aging farmer population with fewer individuals engaged in farming. Here are a few key takeaways, with further explanation below:

There were eight percent fewer farmers in Oregon from 2007 to 2012, with six percent less males and 15% less female farmers.

The age of farmers under 44 years old decreased 22% between 2012 and 2007.

The number of operators who have been farming for nine years or less — how the USDA defines a “new farmer” — decreased by 25% from 2012 to 2007.

The age of farmers under 44 years old decreased 22% between 2012 and 2007.

The average age of Oregon’s farmers is now just a hair under 60 — over two years older than it was in 2007 and exactly two years older than the national average.

“When I was deciding where to put my vegetable garden, I picked the sunniest spot in the yard and started digging. I wanted to get a look at the soil. What I found was great soil for gardening, and some garbage left behind. Because some of the debris was painted, I became concerned about lead in my soil. Since I had planned to test the soil for pH, organic matter, phosphorous, and potassium, I decided to add lead to the list.”

Lead is a concern if your garden is near an older painted structure. Lead in residential building paint was common up until the mid-1970’s, when it began to be phased out. To learn more about lead in soil, we recommend reading OSU Extension’s “Evaluating and Reducing Lead Hazard in Gardens and Landscapes.” Besides information on testing, there are also great tips on amending your soil to reduce lead uptake by plants, as well as other options for dealing with lead. For example, adding organic matter to the soil (which is also good for your plants!) can “enhance the formation of organic compounds that bind lead, making it less available in the soil water.”

If you do plan to have your soil tested for lead, be sure to check out our Conservation Directory for a list of local soil testing laboratories in the Soil Testing section.

Some gardeners are also interested in testing soil for pesticides. This can be difficult unless you know what types of pesticides you are looking for, and even then it can be very expensive (as much as $200 per sample). The more information you can find out about what types of pesticides you know or suspect were applied, the easier it will be to test for them and interpret the results. Since any pesticides that stick around would be bound to the soil, we recommend washing your garden produce very thoroughly!

It takes a lot to get a farm business off the ground. Growing skills need to be honed to specific microclimates, markets must be explored and established, and there are business and legal structures to develop, budgets to put together, and weed and pest management strategies to define, to name just a few essentials. However, much of this can’t happen without sufficient capital to make the initial investments in land, equipment, and farm infrastructure.

Our goal with the Headwaters Incubator Program is to identify individuals with farm experience, but who lack the capital necessary to launch their own farm business. To do this, the District makes available tools, equipment, and infrastructure essential to successfully producing in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, these items are so critical that the majority of staff time and budget for Headwaters Incubator Program’s inaugural season was committed to developing these basic assets, including a barn, greenhouse, irrigation system, wash station, and walk in cooler. Read more →

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"I loved that the gardens were so lush and that the lawns had been transformed. It was amazing how the spaces were used, whether large or small, sloped or flat."-on Yard Tour

"I think that all landowners along the creek should use the StreamCare program. It’s free and beneficial to the fish population and the wildlife.”-on StreamCare program

"It is always far more instructive (and inspiring) to visit gardens in person rather than view photos online or in books. It is even more so when the gardens are in the exact same climate."-on Yard Tour

"The beauty that can be created in such a small area that not only attracts animals and insects but is much more water wise and more fun to work with than a lawn."-on Yard Tour

"It was really about inspiration for me. I felt that I had reached the end of my gardening possibilities and this gave me new inspiration. I also got to see more mature versions of some of the plants I have." -on Yard Tour

"They showed up when they were scheduled, performed their work unobtrusively, and followed up in accordance with the agreement. I would highly recommend the StreamCare program to any landowner who would like to improve the quality of a river or creek on their property." -Sarah and Peter Benfiton Streamcare program

"Native species can create beautiful and wildlife supporting gardens in small yards."-on Yard Tour

"Love seeing how people incorporate all the ideals of saving water, using native plants, right plant and right place, fun and interesting yards."-on Yard Tour

"When people think about yard work, they think it's really hard, but when you are working with classmates, it gets done so much faster and didn't seem as difficult. It helped me realize that teamwork is a lot easier than doing it by myself. The project helped us bond together as friends and I'm glad for that." -Missy, 12th GradeAlpha Native Project

"The StreamCare project is proving to be a great learning opportunity for my students at West Orient Middle School. We get to work along with the EMSWCD to improve the stream that runs right through our school property." -on StreamCare program

"I just came to this class to accompany my wife. She's the gardener in the family. I had no idea that gardening could play such an important role in watershed restoration!" -husband attending arain garden class with his wife

"I have been reluctant to get rid of my lawn, as I fear that planting things all over my yard may appear trashy. I saw some very good examples of yards with no lawn at all in front, and I am a little more inspired to go ahead and do it."-on Yard Tour

"It is a cool project that taught us how to identify native plants in a small area next to our school so that when we go on hikes we can already identify a lot of them on our own. Being able to learn about native plants is a skill I'm glad I've learned because I can share it with my friends." - Jory, 12th grade

The StreamCare program has been amazing at enhancing the wildlife on my property, providing well planned out tree and plant locations, protecting my property from erosion, and restoring the stream bed. All of this increases my property value. -Andrew Collmeron StreamCare program

"I'm learning that what I see as a obstacle or problem area in my yard, others have created something unique with the same area."-on Yard Tour